China’s ambassador to London, Liu Xiaoming, said yesterday his country’s business community was watching the decision over Huawei closely and that Britain risked losing its reputation as an open, business-friendly environment. — Reuters pic
Tensions have mounted between Britain and China after London joined Washington in criticising Beijing’s new national security law for the former British colony of Hong Kong and signalled it could reverse a decision to use Huawei kit in its 5G network. Britain is in the process of carving out a new foreign policy as it prepares to fully leave the European Union at the end of the year.
Britain granted Huawei a limited role in its future 5G networks in January, but ministers have since said the introduction of US sanctions on the company means it may no longer be a reliable supplier.